CORAM, NY — More than $23,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe for the Mastic father of three who died after he was struck by a car driven by an alleged drug-impaired driver who drove the wrong way into a construction area in Nesconset earlier this week.
The GoFundMe was created to support family friend, Glendys Zacarías, and her family, organizer Miriam Sanchez of Coram wrote.
"Her beloved husband and the father of their three children, Joel Sicon, was working roadside construction when he was hit by a vehicle," she wrote.
"All donations are appreciated and will go toward funeral expenses and their children. Please keep this loving family in your prayers," she concluded.
The fundraiser has a $27,000 goal.
Patch has reached out to Sanchez.
Joel Sicon-Porix, 38, was one of three workers struck at a construction site on Monday morning, when a driver ran a red light at the intersection of Terry and Townline roads, police said.
Thomas Lobianco, 26, was driving a 1999 Toyota Camry eastbound in the westbound lane of Townline Road at its intersection with Terry Road at about 6:40 a.m., when he drove through a red light and onto the sidewalk, according to police.
The Camry struck Sicon-Porix and two other construction workers, who were preparing for a Suffolk County paving project, police said. After hitting the workers, Lobianco's car struck an electronic crossing sign, a utility pole and a fence, according to police.
Sicon-Porix was pronounced dead at Stony Brook University Hospital.
A 30-year-old Bay Shore man and a 33-year-old Brentwood man were admitted to the hospital with serious injuries, according to police.
Lobianco was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, police said.
Lobianco pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in First District Court in First Islip, online court records show. His bail was set at $200,000, $400,000 insured bond, and $2 million partially secured surety bond, the records show.
Newsday reported that there is a high likelihood that Lobianco could face homicide charges.
His defense attorney, Robert Macedonio of Islip Terrace, told the outlet, the case still needs further investigation, including the results of drug testing, adding that his team's thoughts "are with the victims and their families."
He referred to the accident as "tragic," saying that there is "much investigation to be done, much forensic evaluation to be done on the tests that were taken, how the accident happened, and what kind of criminal liability Mr. Lobianco has."
Lobianco is due back in court on Aug. 18.
Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina called the crash a tragedy and said the department would continue aggressively enforcing impaired-driving laws.
"Somebody lost their life today, and two others were severely injured," Catalina said. "It's terrible. When you see incidents like this happen, you realize that no matter what we do, we're going to have to do more. We're going to be out there aggressively enforcing these laws."
Police have not yet determined how fast Lobianco was driving at the time of the crash, Catalina said, adding that speed remains a part of the investigation.
Catalina also said police have video of the crash.
The ownership of the Camry, which had a Florida registration, is being investigated, Catalina said.
Major Case Unit detectives are investigating the crash and are asking anyone with information to call 631-852-6553.
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